Transport device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A transport device includes an endless belt having a recording-medium transport surface provided with multiple holes; stretching members between which the endless belt is stretched so as to be able to revolve; and a suction unit provided inside the endless belt. The suction unit has an opening having a larger width than the endless belt. The opening is exposed at both sides of the endless belt in the width direction. The suction unit draws air through the opening to cause the recording medium to stick to the endless belt.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transport device comprising:
 an endless belt having a recording-medium transport surface provided with multiple holes;   stretching members between which the endless belt is stretched so as to be able to revolve; and   a suction unit provided inside the endless belt,   wherein the suction unit has an opening having a larger width than the endless belt,   wherein the opening is exposed at both sides of the endless belt in the width direction, and   wherein the suction unit draws air through the opening to cause the recording medium to stick to the endless belt.   
     
     
         2 . The transport device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the exposed portions of the opening have a width of from 5 mm to 10 mm.   
     
     
         3 . The transport device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a plurality of the endless belts and a plurality of the openings are arranged parallel to the recording-medium transport direction.   
     
     
         4 . The transport device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the amount of air drawn to suck the recording medium is set according to the opening area of the opening.   
     
     
         5 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a photosensitive member;   a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed by the photosensitive member to a recording medium;   a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the recording medium; and   the transport device according to  claim 1 , which transports the recording medium from the transfer unit to the fixing unit.